Saracens only English team left in Heineken Cup after win over Treviso

David Strettle of Saracens scores a try during the Heineken Cup match against Treviso. Photograph: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

The Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall, praised the determination of his side after they came from behind to beat Treviso and book themselves a home tie in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

The Premiership side were well below their usual standards as they struggled to deal with their Italian opponents, who led 17-13 at half-time. By that stage, Saracens had lost Kelly Brown to a suspected broken fibula and Steve Borthwick to a calf injury and the wheels appeared to be coming off their European bandwagon.

However, McCall's men dug deep in the second half and ground out a result which will give them a home tie when the knockout stages commence in April. They are now the only English side left in contention in Europe's top tournament.

"I thought we were miles off where we normally are especially in the first half," said McCall. "The intensity wasn't there and neither were the standards we normally expect. I was pretty disappointed at half-time. But then in the second half we dug in and I have nothing but admiration for the way we got the job done."

Saracens had gone into the game chasing a bonus-point win which would have guaranteed their status as third seeds behind Munster and Leinster. In the end they managed just two tries, one apiece for Mouritz Botha and David Strettle, with the rest of their points coming via the boot of Owen Farrell. Treviso also managed two tries courtesy of Robert Barbieri and Tommaso Iannone as well as well as 10 points from Kris Burton and they were unlucky not to score more as they dominated for long spells.

Indeed, this was very much a backs-to the-wall effort from Saracens, characterised by one outstanding tackle from Peter Stringer to hold up the 6ft 4in lock Antonio Pavanello when a try seemed certain.

"Peter has been a great signing for our club," said McCall of the scrum‑half. "He's been here for three months and has showed all his experience. He was one of the better players today. His work rate and his aggression on our line was brilliant."

It remains to be seen whether Stringer will still be with Saracens when they contest their quarter-final post-Six Nations. McCall was unwilling to look that far ahead and preferred to focus on what he called a "massive result" for the club, given that they avoided a potential trip to either Clermont Auvergne or Toulouse.

As for Treviso it is another year without qualification but they at least went down with their heads held high. "We have displayed a spirit this year which we haven't always shown," said Pavanello. "We have taken another step and have earned respect with our home performances. We will continue to go forward."

Farrell struck first blood for the visitors with a penalty after 10 minutes but they were rocked on their heels when Barbieri dotted down for the opening try moments later which was converted by Burton.

Saracens hit back with a try of their own, Botha barging over from close range after the Saracens forwards had pummelled the home pack.

Farrell made no mistake with the conversion but again the visitors were found wanting in defence and conceded a second try more or less off the restart. Barbieri was once again instrumental, punching a hole in the Saracens midfield before the ball was spun wide to Iannone, who touched down in the corner.

Burton added the conversion and then a drop goal to leave Treviso with a 17-10 lead 25 minutes in. Things went from bad to worse from Saracens after they lost both Brown and Borthwick in quick succession. Farrell reduced the deficit to four points before the break but at half-time Saracens' cup prospects were still looking touch and go.

Thirty seconds into the second half, however, Strettle blocked down an attempted clearance and strolled his way over the line for a gift-wrapped try. Farrell converted and then traded penalties with Burton to keep his side just ahead at 23-20.

Peter Stringer then came to the rescue for Saracens, somehow holding up Pavanello when Treviso looked certain to touch down for a third time.

Tobias Botes, meanwhile, looked to have scored a perfectly good try but it was overruled by the stand-in referee John Carvill, who had replaced the injured Alain Rolland in the first half.

Saracens at this stage were hanging on by their finger nails but the accuracy of Farrell allowed them to keep the scoreboard ticking over with another three points on the hour stretching the lead to six points. But rather than kicking on in search of the bonus point, which would have guaranteed their status as third seeds, Saracens spent most of the final quarter on the back foot simply trying to protect their lead, which they just about managed to do.